O/B PA Foch

Plane guard duty during Charles de Gaulle carrier activities by an Alouette III. The helicopter type was phased out from active Marine Nationale service in the Summer of 2022 and was officially retired from on 9 December 2022.

Full AB on the waist catapult

This Rafale M was delivered to the Marine Nationale, Aeronavale or Aéronautique Navale on 8 February 2012. It is seen here being directed to the bow catapult of the Charles de Gaulle.

Since 2018, this Super Etendard is in use as an instructional airframe at Hyeres Le Palyvestre. The aircraft is seen here being directed to the catapult of the Charles de Gaulle.

The SA365F1 is much improved variant of the SA365 for the Marine Nationale. It has been used since 1991 for general duties, for backup purposes, Search and Rescue and plane guard mission aboard French NAval ships, including the Charles de Gaulle. The variant 365F is used since 1999 with Flottille 35F, which is based at Hyères Le Palyvestre (France).

A SEM being launched from the R91

Pictured just after launch from one of the side catapults of the R91. The steam is caused by a launch of one of the bow catapult.

Close to 50 Super Etendard Modernisé's (SEM) were delivered to the Marine Nationale. The SEM is based on the Super Étendard, which is based on the Étendard IVM. The Super Etendard Modernisé was constantly upgraded by the French Navy through its life. It was used for anti-ship, strike, reconnaissance and nuclear strike missions. Here, serial 4 is launched from the R91, its bridle (the cable that attaches the Etendard to the steam catapult) is just dropped after launch in the sea (one bridle is used for each launch!).

Aboard aircraft carrier Foch.